Amending Chapter 6 New Section 6-37.2 Addressing Accountability Buildings Vacant

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Cover Letter to Ordinance Addressing Accountability of Government Actions on Buildings Declared Vacant or Abandoned March 15, 2013 Page 2 It is interesting that the 75 -page "Vacant & Abandoned Properties Task Force Report" released last month, does not contain an updated map of the one depicting vacant & abandoned houses as of 2011, as well as the "Calls for Service" showing the five (5) levels of service. In light of the 1,000 demolitions being promoted as an "ambitious plan" by Mayor Buttigieg, and the related costs to the taxpayers for this demolition plan, and post demolition expenses, I believe greater transparency and accountability is needed now more than ever. Fiscal oversight is a duty and responsibility which the South Bend Common Council takes very seriously. To assist the Council in carrying out those duties a "check and balance" component is being created which is aimed at greater accountability. The attached ordinance would: • Require that all City Offices which carry out the duties involving vacant building have current "Quarterly Administrative Reports" on file with the Office of the City Clerk. Such reports are to routinely summarize implementation & enforcement actions of the city regarding "Vacant Building Maintenance and Registration" — a requirement of Ordinance No. 9810 -07 codified in the South Bend Municipal Code in Section 6 -37.1. This has been a requirement since 2007, however limited compliance and very few, if any filings have taken place by the current and past City Administration. • Requires the City Administration to file with the Office of the City Clerk a completed "Demolition Prioritization Form" (1 page) which was set forth as Figure # 82 in the Appendix by the 2013 Vacant & Abandoned Properties Task Report • Requires the City Administration to file with the Office of the City Clerk a "Fiscal Impact /Future Use Summary Sheet" (1 page) which highlights the location, Council District, affected Neighborhood, whether it was classified abandoned or vacant, reasons for proposed demolition, reasons why the property cannot be rehabilitated, proposed reuse of the subject property using Figure # 70 in the 2013 Vacant & Abandoned Properties Task Report; date, cost & funding sources of proposed demolition; cost & funding source(s) of proposed reuse with all of the information being signed by a fiscal analyst & Department of Code Enforcement. This report and the Demolition Prioritization Report are to be filed a minimum of 72 -hours prior to the demolition. • Requires the Office of the City Clerk to timely send electronically to all Council Members copies of the Demolition Prioritization Form and Fiscal Impact /Future Use Summary Sheet upon receipt from the City Administration.